Triggers in Reply are powerful tools that can automate tasks based on specific events or conditions. These are events or conditions that cause something else to happen automatically, such as updating records about contacts and accounts in Reply.
For example, a trigger can be set up to automatically assign newly created contacts to the "New" contact stage, saving time and effort for those who might otherwise have to manually assign contact stages.
Triggers are account-based, which means you can set specific rules for each account. By configuring triggers with specific events, conditions, and actions, you can streamline your workflow and free up time for more important work.
There are two types of triggers:
Triggers that you can set up yourself.
Predefined triggers are set up by Reply and work by default for assigning contact stages & account stages.
How to create automation using the triggers
Log into your Reply account.
Open the Settings page from the header menu, then navigate to the Triggers tab.
Click on the New trigger button in the upper right corner.
4. On the trigger page, click on the New trigger to add a name for your trigger.
Then, in the "When" section, click on the drop-down list of available triggers and select the one that best fits your needs.
5. Use "If" section to add additional conditions for your trigger if needed.
6. Use "Then" section to add the action that will be performed automatically once the trigger works. Then, click Save.
Sample automation. You may want to move certain contacts that have opened your email n number of times to an SMS step of your sequence, for example. Then, your Reply automation can be configured as follows:
For more information on triggers and possible actions, please refer to the table below:
Triggers and actions
Trigger | Description | Actions |
Contact created | Activates upon new contact creation. This trigger allows you to immediately set up a series of automated actions for the new contact, ensuring they are quickly integrated into your workflow.
| Actions: Move to Sequence, Add to List, Update Contact Field, Set Contact Stage, Assign Owner (TE Only). |
Contact updated | Activates when contact information changes. | Actions: Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Add to List, Set Contact Stage, Assign Owner (TE Only).
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Account created | Triggers with a new account set up (when a new account, representing a company, is created). It enables you to streamline the initial management of this new account by automating a crucial action.
To learn more, read the article on how to set up the "Account created" trigger. | Actions:
This action automatically assigns a stage to the newly created account. You can select an appropriate stage from a drop-down list that includes options like "New", "Qualified", "Meeting Booked", and more.
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Contact replied to sequence email | This trigger is activated when a contact, who was included in one of your sequences, responds to an email.
It's a significant interaction that can start a series of automated actions, helping you to respond effectively to this engagement.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Contact opened sequence email | This trigger is activated when a contact in your email sequence opens an email you've sent. This trigger is particularly valuable as it indicates the contact's engagement with your content, providing an opportunity for strategic follow-up actions.
| Actions: Mark as Finished, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Add to list, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Contact clicked on the link | This trigger is activated when a contact clicks on a link within an email from your sequence.
A click on a link typically demonstrates a higher level of engagement compared to just opening an email, as it shows that the contact is interested enough to seek additional information or follow through on a call-to-action.
Once this trigger is activated, you can set various automated actions to effectively respond to and capitalize on this heightened level of engagement.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Contact finished sequence | This trigger activates when a contact has completed all steps in a sequence and attains a 'Finished' status.
Activates when a contact completes all steps in a sequence, achieving 'Finished' status.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Update Contact Field, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Inbox category set for reply | This trigger is activated when you assign an inbox category to a reply in your email threads. Inbox categories are labels like "Interested," "Not Interested," "Do Not Contact," etc., that help organize and prioritize your email interactions based on the contact's expressed interests or responses.
This trigger enables you to automate specific actions when these categories are assigned, streamlining your response strategy.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Contact opted out | This trigger is activated when a contact opts out or unsubscribes from your email sequence or mailing list.
This action is a clear indicator that the contact no longer wishes to receive certain types of communications or emails from you.
When this trigger is activated, it's important to take immediate and appropriate actions to adjust your engagement strategy with the contact, while also respecting their communication preferences.
| Actions: Add to List, Remove from Sequence, Update Contact Field, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Call was logged | This trigger is activated when a call with a contact is completed and logged into your system.
This logging can occur in various contexts, such as a cloud call, customer support interaction, or any other phone engagement.
Upon activation of this trigger, a range of automated actions can be set to efficiently process and respond to the information gathered during the call.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
Sequence email was sent | This trigger is activated when an email from your predefined sequence is successfully sent to a contact.
Monitoring when emails are sent is essential for timing follow-ups, analyzing response rates, and maintaining the rhythm of your communication strategy.
Upon this trigger's activation, various automated actions can be initiated to enhance the efficiency of your workflow and ensure that your email sequence is effectively moving contacts through your engagement funnel.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage.
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Sequence email was bounced | This trigger is activated when an email from your sequence fails to reach a contact’s inbox and is returned or 'bounced'.
Identifying bounced emails is crucial for maintaining the health and effectiveness of your email list and ensuring your communications reach their intended recipients.
When this trigger is activated, it’s important to take specific actions to address the issue and maintain the integrity of your email campaigns.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Update Contact Field, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage.
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LinkedIn connection accepted | Activates when a LinkedIn connection request is accepted (when a contact accepts a LinkedIn connection request that you sent as part of a sequence). | Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage.
|
LinkedIn message reply received | This trigger is activated when you receive a reply to a LinkedIn message that was sent as part of a sequence in your outreach strategy.
A reply indicates a higher level of engagement from the contact, and this trigger allows you to automate a set of actions to effectively manage this interaction.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
LinkedIn connection request forbidden due to privacy settings | Activates when privacy settings prevent a connection request (when a contact in your sequence cannot receive a LinkedIn connection request and the step in a sequence has been blocked by the contact's privacy settings).
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
LinkedIn connection request forbidden due to lack of email | This trigger is activated when an attempt to send a LinkedIn connection request to a contact fails because the contact's email address is missing.
This situation usually arises in sequences where an email is a prerequisite for sending a LinkedIn connection request.
| Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage. |
LinkedIn URL is invalid (missing data) | This trigger occurs when the LinkedIn URL associated with a contact is invalid or lacks crucial data, preventing the execution of LinkedIn-related steps in your sequence. | Actions: Add to List, Move to Sequence, Remove from Sequence, Mark as Finished, Update Contact Field, Pause Contact, Assign Owner (TE Only), Set Contact Stage.
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Additionally, you have the option to specify conditions for this trigger, such as selecting the exact sequence and sequence step. This precision ensures that the automated actions are perfectly tailored to the specific stage of engagement with each LinkedIn contact.
Please note: Triggers support both TE Private and TE Public editions of Reply. While TE Private offers individual control over triggers, TE Public allows broader visibility and application within the team.
TE Private:
| TE Public:
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Read this article to discover all the rules for TE Public settings.
Here is a short video tutorial explaining what triggers are and how to set them up: